During Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, patients may experience which gastrointestinal issue?

In Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, patients experience the excessive secretion of gastrin, a hormone that stimulates the gastric acid production by the stomach. This increase in gastric acid leads to the development of gastric ulcers. The elevated levels of gastrin are often caused by a gastrin-secreting tumor known as a gastrinoma, which primarily affects the pancreas or the duodenum.

The excessive acid can overwhelm the protective mechanisms of the gastric lining and result in ulcer formation, causing significant gastrointestinal issues. Patients may suffer from symptoms such as abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and in severe cases, perforation of the gastric ulcer. This is why gastric ulcers are a common gastrointestinal issue associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, making it the correct choice in this context.

Constipation and diarrhea can be related to various gastrointestinal disorders, but they are not the hallmark symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. While gastric reflux can occur due to increased acid production, the severity and complications related to gastric ulceration are more pronounced in this syndrome.